World Association For Dalmatians

The health of the Dalmatian in the Netherlands and in Norway

The European Cooperation of Dalmatian Clubs decided in 1997 to send a questionnaire to the Dalmatian breed clubs regarding the health of their dogs. Not all the member clubs participated and only two countries reported sufficient answers to be considered statistically reliable. Of the 982 registered dogs which theoretically could have been included in the survey, the Dutch and the Norwegian clubs received answers on 324 dogs (33%), 145 males and 179 females. The dogs were 2-6 years old. In the Netherlands the data were collected and treated by dr. C. Wolschrijn. In Norway the data were collected and treated by dr. T. Greibrokk, in 1999-2000.

The main results from the combined data were:

No. of dogs

Percent (%)

Skin and Hair

Parasite and fungus infections

14

4.3

Atopic allergy

11

3.3

Nutrition allergy

29

9.0

Other problems occurring more than once (including folliculitis, superficial pyodermia etc.)

57

17.6

Eyes

Entropion and ectropion

0

0

Running eyes and others

26

6.5

Limbs

Osteochondrosis

3

0.9

Ears

Earmite and bacterial infection, more than once

60

18.5

Heart

Damaged heart valve, heart murmur

5

1.5

Lungs

Kennel cough etc.

16

4.9

Digestive system

Stomach torsion

2

0.6

Bacterial infections in stomach and intestines

15

4.6

Viral infections in stomach and intestines

7

2.2

Parasite infections

1

0.3

Foreign objects

11

3.3

Urinary tract

Kidney failure

3

0.9

Bladder/urine stones

7

2.2

Infections in bladder and urethra

14

4.3

Reproductive system

Inflammation of milk glands, uterus, pseudopregnancy

24

13.4

Endometritis

4

2.2

Sterilized females

39

21.8

Inflammation of testis, prostate and penis

25

17.2

Castrated males

31

21.4

Nerve system

Epilepsy

1

0.2

Note that the numbers are not necessarily additive in each category. For example, several of the dogs with urinary stones were naturally also reported with bladder infections. And, the numbers with skin problems cannot necessarily be added up and cannot be added to the numbers with ear infections, since they were often the same dogs. Significant differences between dogs from the two countries were noticed mainly on sterilized bitches and castrated dogs, where the numbers were much higher in the Dutch population, probably reflecting the much higher population density in the Netherlands, compared to Norway.

Conclusions:

Traditionally the Dalmatian has been known for two inherited problems, deafness and urinary stones. From other studies the rate of bilateral deafness in the two countries is known to be about 4%. From this report it appears that the prevalence of urinary stones is at approximately the same level or lower, and thus not a major problem. There appears to be no significant problems with the reproductive system (mostly minor things), the digestive system, nerve system, hormones, heart and vascular system, lungs and eyes. From other studies hip dysplasia is known to affect less than 8% of the Dalmatians in Norway, which is satisfactory for the larger breeds. The most prevalent problem, according to the data above, is skin and hair problems and ear infections, which often is related to deficiencies of the immune system. This probably comes as no surprise to the breeders, and the numbers are also at the same level as for most other breeds.